“I’m so sorry, Dad,” she says, throwing herself against me. “Please forgive me.”
I wrap her in my arms, her tiny body almost disappearing in my size.
I look up to find the last person I expect to see standing behind her.
We stare at each other.
“You better come in,” I say.
CHAPTER 58
ELIJAH
Everyone is silent as we walk back into the main hub.
“Lottie.”
Her name is called in relief. She remains tucked under my shoulder, her arm locked around my waist, head down.
“Lottie? Darling,” Darra says.
“Mum?” Lottie says, her head coming up. “What are you doing here?”
“You expect me to ignore the fact you didn’t arrive on the plane you were supposed to?” Darra says, her voice actually catching. “I know you think I’m the world’s worst mother, but?—”
“I don’t think you’re the world’s worst mother,” she replies. “I sent you a message telling you I was staying here for my birthday,” Lottie says, looking around her and realising the living area of the apartment is full of police officers and family members. “You didn’t get it?”
“Clearly,” Darra says.
Lottie pulls her phone out of her coat pocket and holds up the message to her mother.
“Mr Frazer?”
I turn to the officer in question.
“As Miss Frazer has returned?”
“Yes, please,” I say.
We need no more of our dirty laundry aired in public.
“If you need a statement, I can bring her to the station later.”
He nods and motions for his colleagues to clear up and move out.
Everyone remains silent until they leave.
Pen steps forward and lets them out. I can hear her talking in the corridor by the door. Knowing Pen, she’ll find out what happens next. Always organised, forward-thinking.
“Hey, button,” Caleb comes up and gives Lottie a hug. “You had us scared.”
“I know, I’m sorry, Uncle Caleb. I should have checked my message was received.”
She turns and looks at the man standing silently inside the door, his hands deep in his pockets.
I’ve ignored his presence until now. Not wanting to think about what this means. To me, to my family.
Darra looks past me. I didn’t think she could go any paler, but I was wrong.
